Chair arm cup holder

ABSTRACT

An improved chair arm configuration having a generally horizontal arm rest portion from which a bridging portion extends downwardly to a lower cup support portion and with a cup ring member having an opening therethrough supported by the bridging portion forward of the bridging portion and vertically above the cup support portion.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to chairs with arm rests and, more particularly, to a chair arm rest providing a holder for beverage containers or ashtrays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Arm rests for chairs are well known to include cup holders to removably retain beverage containers. A disadvantage of many known cup holders is that their components significantly increase the complexity of the chair assembly. Another disadvantage of many known cup holders is that the cup holder provides a recess within which spilled fluids may accumulate and are difficult to clean. Another disadvantage of cup holders is that liquid which may be spilled typically is above the surface of the seat and will drip down onto the seat rendering the seat unusable until cleaned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To at least partially overcome these disadvantages of previously known devices, the present invention provides an improved chair arm configuration having a generally horizontal arm rest portion from which a bridging portion extends downwardly to a lower cup support portion and with a cup ring member having an opening therethrough supported by the bridging portion forward of the bridging portion and vertically above the cup support portion.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simplified chair arm adapted for use with or without a container supporting member.

Another object is to provide a chair arm adapted to removably support a beverage container or an ashtray.

Another object is to provide a chair with a cup support portion for supporting a beverage container spaced laterally from a chair seat surface and/or at a height below the height of the chair seat surface.

In one aspect, the present invention provides an elongate chair arm having:

a generally horizontal arm rest portion disposed at a first height,

a bridging portion, and

a generally horizontal cup support portion disposed at a second height below the first height,

the bridging portion disposed intermediate the arm rest portion and the cup support portion and joining a forward end of the arm rest portion with a rear end of the cup support portion,

the bridging portion descending from the first height of the arm rest portion to the second height of the cup support portion,

a cup ring member having an opening therethrough,

the cup ring member supported by the bridging portion in a position forward of the bridging portion and with the opening extending vertically through the cup ring member vertically above the cup support portion spaced a distance above the cup support portion.

Preferably, a chair arm in accordance with the first aspect is provided in combination with a container sized to be removably received in the opening of the support ring with an access mouth of the container opened upwardly. Preferably the container is selected from a beverage container and an ashtray. Preferably, when the container is a beverage container, the container is sized to have its lower end passed down through the opening to engage and rest on the cup support portion.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a chair having a seat and a chair arm laterally of the seat,

the seat having an upper surface at a seat height, the upper surface extending laterally to the lateral side surface of the seat,

the chair arm having:

an arm rest portion disposed at a first height,

a cup support portion disposed forward from the arm rest portion at a second height below the first height,

a ring member having an opening therethrough,

the ring member supported in a position forward of the arm rest portion and with the opening extending vertically through the ring member vertically above the cup support portion spaced a distance above the cup support portion,

the ring member at a height above the seat height,

the cup support portion at a height above the seat height.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a three-seat chair in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top, plan view of the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cup holding chair arm shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the chair arm of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the chair arm of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the chair arm of FIG. 4 schematically showing some elements of the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a ring and bracket member shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view as in FIG. 4 including a cup in combination with the chair arm;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but showing a cylindrical beverage can in combination with the chair arm;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the ring and bracket member of FIG. 4 in combination with an ashtray;

FIG. 12 is a side view of FIG. 11 with the right half side of the ashtray in cross-section;

FIG. 13 is an assembled view of the ashtray and ring and bracket member shown in FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a side view of FIG. 13 with the left half of the ashtray and cup ring member in cross-section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made to FIG. 1 which shows a seating structure 10 providing three chairs 12 supported on a framework comprising two side frames each having a rear post 91 and a front post 92 bridged by a side beam 93. The side frames are joined via a rear rail 94 joining the tops of the rear post 91 and a front rail 95 joining the tops of the front post 92. Each of the chairs is provided by a sheet 96 of metal supported at an upper rear end on the rear rail 94 and extending to have a forward lower end on the front rail 95. Each sheet 96 provides the support surfaces of a chair including a chair seat portion 97 and a chair back portion 98. The chair seat portion 97 is preferably covered by a seat pad 99 and similarly the chair back portion 98 is similarly covered by a resilient padded back pad 100 with an integral head pad. Beside the chairs 12, chair arms are provided. In the preferred embodiment, two forms of chair arms are shown. Firstly, two cup holding chair arms 14 are shown on either side of the middle chair 12. Secondly, a chair arm 103 without a cup holding capability is shown on the outside of one end chair 12.

The seating structure 10 shows three chairs on its framework. Similar such seating structures may be provided with additional or fewer of the chair arms 14 and 103 between chairs. The seating structures may have one, two, three or more chairs on each framework. The seating structure is particularly adapted as of modular chair structure for use in providing rows of chairs of extended length as, for example, in waiting areas in airports and hospitals.

Reference is made to FIG. 4 which illustrates in perspective view one of the cup holding chair arms 14. The arm 14 includes at a lower front end a front hook portion 16 for fixedly coupling to the front rail 95 and at its rear a rear hook portion 26 for fixedly coupling to the rear rail 94. The arm 14 is formed from an elongate planar strip of metal of uniform thickness bent to form different portions along its length including in sequence the front hook portion 16, a cup support portion 18, a bridging portion 20, an arm rest portion 22, a riser portion 24, and the rear hook portion 26. A ring and bracket member 30 is supported on the bridge portion 20. The arm 14 has an upper surface 15 and a lower surface 13 as seen in FIG. 7.

As shown, the arm portion 22 is disposed horizontally at a first height. A relatively small radius curve 21 forms a merger between a forward end of the arm rest portion 22 and an upper rear end of the bridging portion 20. The bridging portion 20 extends downwardly and forwardly away from the arm portion 22. A relatively small radius curve 19 is provided between the lower forward end of the bridge portion 20 and the rear end of the cup portion 18. The cup support portion 18 extends horizontally forwardly from the bridge portion 20 at a second height and merges at its front end with the front hook portions 16. At the rear of the arm rest portion 22, a relatively small radius curve 23 merges with a riser portion which extends rearwardly and upwardly to merge into the rear hook portion 26.

An arm rest pad 28 is provided over most of the arm rest portion 22 and extends over the curve 21 and partially downwardly onto the bridging portion 20. This arm rest pad 28 may preferably have some resiliency and be padded to provide increased comfort on engagement by a user.

The ring and bracket member 30 is best seen in FIG. 8 as comprising an annular ring member 32 integrally formed with a bracket member 34. The bracket member 34 carries a securement flange 35 at a rear end and extends forwardly to a forward end 36 coupled to the ring member 32. As seen in FIG. 7, the rear flange 35 of the bracket member 34 is secured to the bridging portion 20 with the rear flange 35 to overlie the upper surface 15 of the arm 14 over the bridging portion 20 by the use of fasteners which extend from a rear surface 16 of the arm 14 through the bridging portion 20.

The ring member 32 has an opening 37 therethrough disposed about an axis 39. The ring member 32 is a generally annular member with an outer surface 40 and an inner surface 38 each of which is circular in any cross-section normal to the axis 39. As best seen in cross-section in FIG. 14, the inner surface 38 is shown as being frustoconical. The ring member 32 has an upper surface 42 disposed to lie in the same plane as an upper surface 44 of the bracket member 34. As seen in side view in FIG. 7, the axis 39 through the opening 37 of the ring member is disposed vertically with the upper surface 42 of the ring member and the upper surface 44 of the bracket member 34 being horizontal. As seen in top view in FIG. 6, the ring member 32 is supported in a position with the opening 37 vertically above the cup support portion 18 as with, for the purpose of illustration, a point 45 being indicated as the location where the axis 39 meets the upper surface 15 of the cup support portion 18.

As seen in side view in FIG. 7, each of the cup support portion 18, bridging portion 20 and arm rest portion 22 are shown as being linear and straight in side view. An angle A between the bridging portion 20 and the arm rest portion 22 is complementary to the angle B between the cup support portion 18 and the bridging portion 20, and in the embodiment of FIG. 7, each of angle A and angle B is shown to be about 45°.

Reference is made to FIG. 9 showing an enlarged view of FIG. 4 but with a beverage cup 50 held by the arm 14 as shown in solid lines. The cup 50 is shown as a frustoconical container with a closed base or lower end 51 and frustoconical side walls 52 extending upwardly about a central axis 53 to an upper end 54 which is open providing an access mouth 55 to the cup.

The cup is illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 9 in a position vertically above the ring member 32 from which position it may be moved downwardly with the lower end 51 of the cup and the side walls 52 to move downwardly through the opening 37 of the ring member 32 to a position in which the lower end 51 of the cup engages the upper surface 15 of the cup support member 18 against further movement downwardly. The cup 50 is sized and having its lower end 51 and side walls 52 of a configuration which permits the cup 50 to be moved downwardly through the opening 37 with its lower end to engage the cup support portion 18. The side walls 52 of the cup are received inside the inner surface 38 of the annular ring 32 with lateral movement of the cup being restricted by engagement between the side walls 52 of the cup and the inner surfaces 38 of the annular ring 32. As seen in FIG. 7, the cup ring member has its top surface 42 at a set height Ht above the upper surface 15 of the cup support 18. With the lower end of the cup 50 supported on the cup support portion 18, the side walls preferably extend upwardly through the opening 37 to above the ring member 32 for ease of access to the cup 50. Preferably, therefore, the cup 50 has an overall height Hc which is greater than the height Ht, however, lateral support to the cup will be provided by the ring member 32 if the cup 50 may have a height greater than the height of a lower surface 43 of the ring member 32 above the cup support portion shown as Hb in FIG. 7.

Reference is made to FIG. 10 which is similar to FIG. 9, however, illustrates a cylindrical container 60 such as a beer can supported by the chair arm 14. As shown, the can 60 has a lower end 61, cylindrical side walls 62 coaxial about an axis 63 and an upper end 64 substantially closed but for a mouth 65 from which fluid may be dispensed. The can 60 has a diameter less than the diameter of the aperture 37 of the ring member 32. The can has a height greater than the height of the ring member Ht. The cup 60 has its lower end supported on the cup support portion 18 and the can 60 is received within the opening 37 with space between the inner surface 38 of the opening 37 and the side walls 62 of the can 60. In lateral movement of the can 60 from the position of FIG. 10, engagement between the side walls 62 of the can 60 and the inner surface 38 of the ring member 32 will maintain the can disposed with its lower end above the cup support portion 18.

Reference is made to FIGS. 11 to 14 which illustrate a removable ashtray 70 for use with the ring and bracket member 30. The ashtray member 70 has a closed lower end 71 formed to be frustoconical and extending from a lower apex upwardly and outwardly to inner wall 72 which is marginally frustoconical and extends upwardly to an upper end 74 where it merges with an annular radially outwardly extending generally horizontal flange 75 which in turn merges at its outer periphery into an annular downwardly extending outer wall 76. Three grooves 77 are provided through the flange 45 and between the inner wall 72 and the outer wall 76 providing convenient locations for resting of a cigarette or cigar. Each of the grooves 77 has a U-shaped bottom wall 78. At a rear end opposite a middle of the grooves 77, a slotway 79 extends upwardly into the outer wall 76.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the ashtray 70 in a position disposed vertically above the ring member 32 and from which position the ashtray 70 may be moved downwardly to assume the engaged positions illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 with the ashtray 70 secured to the ring member 32 with the inner wall 72 fitted snugly within the opening 37 with radially outwardly directed surfaces of the inner wall 72 closely engaging the inner surface 38 of the opening 37 and the outer wall 76 disposed outwardly of the ring member 32 extending partially downwardly thereover. A lower surface of each of the U-shaped walls 78 engage the upper surface 42 of the ring member 32 and the bight 80 of the slotway 79 engage on the upper surface 44 of the bracket member 34 as to limit movement of the ashtray 70 downwardly. As seen in FIG. 13, the slotway 79 has side surfaces 81 which closely engage with sides of the bracket member 34 to constrain the ashtray against rotation relative to the ring member.

The ashtray 70 preferably is sized and configured to fit on the ring and bracket member 30 in a relatively snug, friction fit relation against inadvertent accidental removal, although this is unnecessary. The ashtrays may be disposable or, alternatively, may be provided to be reusable albeit, preferably replaceable for cleaning and removable when ashtrays are not desired to be provided. The ashtray 70 may be formed from many different materials, however, preferably may be formed and may comprise a relatively inexpensive disposable member as, for example, formed from aluminum which may be removed and discarded after use.

An advantage of the chair arm in accordance with the preferred embodiment is that insofar as an ashtray 70 may be provided but subsequently removed, the ring and bracket member 30 will after removal of the ashtray serve the function of being adapted to support a beverage container. Where a chair may be located in a smoking area, then ashtrays may be provided as, for example, with ashtrays provide on alternative chair arms such that each chair may have access on one side to an ashtray and on the other side to a beverage holder. Of course, where chairs are located in a non-smoking area, then ashtrays would not be provided.

Reference is made to FIG. 7 which shows in cross-section not only the chair arm 14 but also the relative location of the sheet 96 of metal forming the chair seat and the seat pad 99 disposed thereover. As seen, the seat pad 99 provides an upper surface 105 of the seat of the chair which is disposed at a height above the upper surface 15 of the cup support portion 18. This is advantageous such that insofar as there may be any inadvertent spillage of materials such as liquid or ashes from a container received within the cup ring member 32, there is an increased probability that such materials will fall vertically downward or will flow to the cup support portion 18 rather than onto the upper surface 105 of the chair seat. Thus, even if materials may be spilled above the cup support portion 18, the location of the cup support portion 18 at a height below the upper surface 105 of the seat will permit continued use of the seat 12. As seen in the top view in FIG. 2, each of the seat pads 99 have a lateral periphery defined by their side surfaces 106 and the cup ring member 32 preferably does not extend laterally beyond these side surfaces 106 of the chair seat pads 99. This can be advantageous towards reducing the probability of materials spilled coming to be on the chair seat. Further with the cup support portion 18 having a width laterally, as seen in FIG. 2, less than the spacing between the side surfaces 106 of the chair seats, gaps 107 are provided between the cup support portion 18 and the side surfaces 106 extending vertically from above the upper surface 105 to below the cup support portion 18 which permit any spilled materials to pass downwardly off the chair arm 14 to the floor.

As seen in side view in FIG. 7, the ring and bracket member 30 extends forwardly from the bridging member 20, however, does not extend forwardly past a forward end 109 of the front hook portion 16 or the forward edge 108 of the chair seat pad 99. This is advantageous to reduce the likelihood of a person or persons walking laterally in front of the chair seating structure 10 from engaging and catching on or breaking the ring and bracket member 30. As seen in FIG. 7, the ring member 32 is located on the bridge portion 20 at a height intermediate the cup support portion 18 and the arm rest portion 22. This is advantageous as it provides a convenient height for a person with an arm resting on the arm rest portion 22 to engage a beverage container received in the ring member 32. The ring and bracket member 30 is disposed below the arm rest portion 22 to assist in reducing the extent to which the ring and bracket member 30 may be caught or engaged on a person sitting down or rising up from a chair 12.

As seen in top view in FIG. 2 and in side view in FIG. 8, the seat pads have lateral peripheries defined by their side surfaces 106 which are laterally to the side of the cup support portion 18 and which can be of assistance in preventing a lower end of a container from being moved sideways sufficiently off the cup support portion 18. Therefore, a container whose lower end has dimensions not less than the lateral width of the gaps 107 will not be able to be placed in an orientation that it may fall through the gap to one side of the cup support portion 18.

While not shown, a modified chair arm 14 may be provided having a configuration identical to that shown, however, without the ring and bracket member 30 and still have a pleasing appearance and full functionality other than in respect of supporting a container.

The preferred embodiments show one preferred seating structure for a chair incorporating the present invention. It is to be appreciated, however, that a chair arm and/or chair in the course of the present invention may have different support structures and configurations.

The preferred embodiments illustrate the arm rest portions and cup support portions as being horizontal. This is not necessary and is to be appreciated that arm support portions and/or cup support portions which may be disposed at angles to the horizontal or to be formed by curving surfaces within the scope of the present invention. Similarly, the bridging portion has been shown to be a straight linear member and this is not necessary.

Each of the preferred embodiments illustrates the ring and bracket member 30 as being supported on the bridging portion. This is not necessary. In accordance with the present invention, the cup ring member needs to be supported above a cup support portion and may be supported by any means from the remainder of the chair structure and its framework.

In the preferred embodiments, the cup ring member 32 has been shown to have a general circular configuration. This is not necessary, the opening through the ring member may be of any desired shape including ovals, shapes with curves and linear portions and any other shapes whether square or rectangular or oblong and the like which are adapted to provide sizing and spacing complementary to containers and ashtrays to be engaged therewith.

The cup ring member 32 is shown to be a continuous annular member, however, this is not necessary as the ring member preferably provides surfaces about the circumference of a container to be received therein to reasonably constrain lateral movement of the container to preferably being above the cup support surface.

The cup ring member 32 is preferably shown as being mounted in a cantilevered manner from the bridging portion, however, again this is not necessary.

Each chair arm 14 has been shown as having a relatively small width laterally between the chairs 12. The width of the chair arm 14 may be increased if desired to any width such as, for example, to about twelve inches to provide a wider arm rest as to accommodate simultaneously the arms of two persons on adjacent chairs and with two ring and bracket members 30, one adjacent each chair 12. In such an arrangement with an enlarged lateral spacing between the chairs 12, the arm rest may be replaced by a table, possibly at a lower height than the typical height arm rest shown, but preferably not higher than the ring and bracket members 30.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, many modifications and variations will now occur to a person skilled in the art. For a definition of the invention, reference is made to the following claims. 

1. An elongate chair arm having: a generally horizontal arm rest portion disposed at a first height, a bridging portion, and a generally horizontal cup support portion disposed at a second height below the first height, the bridging portion disposed intermediate the arm rest portion and the cup support portion and joining a forward end of the arm rest portion with a rear end of the cup support portion, the bridging portion descending from the first height of the arm rest portion to the second height of the cup support portion, a cup ring member having an opening therethrough, the cup ring member supported by the bridging portion in a position forward of the bridging portion and with the opening extending vertically through the cup ring member vertically above the cup support portion spaced a distance above the cup support portion.
 2. A chair arm as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cup ring member is supported on the bridging portion by a bracket member having a rear end and a forward end, the rear end of the bracket secured to the bridging member and extending forwardly thereof to the forward end supporting the cup ring member above the cup support portion.
 3. A chair arm as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bridging portion extending from a forward end of the arm rest generally at an angle forwardly and downwardly to a rear end of the cup support portion.
 4. A chair arm as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chair arm comprises a continuous elongate member forming in sequence the arm rest portion, the bridging portion and the cup support portion.
 5. A chair arm as claimed in claim 1 in combination with a container sized to be removably received in the opening of the cup ring member with an access mouth of the container open upwardly.
 6. A chair arm as claimed in claim 5 wherein the container is selected from the group consisting of a beverage container and an ashtray.
 7. A chair arm as claimed in claim 5 wherein the container is a beverage container having a closed lower end, side walls extending upwardly from the lower end to an upper end carrying the mouth, the container sized to have its lower end passed down through the opening to engage and rest on the cup support portion, the cup ring member having a top surface at a set height above the cup support portion, wherein with the lower end of the container resting on the cup support portion, the side walls extending upwardly through the opening to above the opening.
 8. A chair arm as claimed in claim 5 wherein the container is a beverage container having a closed lower end, side walls extending upwardly from the lower end to an upper end, and the mouth at an upper end, the cup ring member having a top surface at a set height above the cup support portion, the side walls extending upwardly from the lower end to a distance greater than the set height.
 9. A chair arm as claimed in claim 8 wherein the container having a circumferential shape about its side walls from the lower end up the side walls to a height greater than the set height smaller than the circumferential shape of the opening such that the container can be placed to extend downwardly through the opening to an extent that the lower end engages the cup support portion against downward movement and the container side walls engage inwardly directed surfaces of the opening of the cup ring member against movement laterally.
 10. A chair arm as claimed in claim 5 wherein the container is an ashtray having a closed lower end, side walls extending upwardly from the lower end to an upper end, and the mouth at an upper end.
 11. A chair arm as claimed in claim 10 wherein the container is an ashtray having a closed lower end, side walls extending upwardly from the lower end to an upper end defining the mouth therein and a radially outwardly extending flange about the mouth, the ashtray sized to have its lower end and side walls passed down through the opening with the flange engaging the cup ring member outwardly of the opening against downward movement.
 12. A chair arm as claimed in claim 7 wherein the cup support portion having an upwardly directed cup support surface for engagement with the lower end of the container to prevent movement of the container downwardly therepast.
 13. A chair having a seat and a chair arm laterally of the seat, the seat having an upper surface at a seat height, the upper surface extending laterally to the lateral side surface of the seat, the chair arm having: an arm rest portion disposed at a first height, a cup support portion disposed forward from the arm rest portion at a second height below the first height, a ring member having an opening therethrough, the ring member supported in a position forward of the arm rest portion and with the opening extending vertically through the ring member vertically above the cup support portion spaced a distance above the cup support portion, the ring member at a height above the seat height, the cup support portion at a height above the seat height.
 14. A chair as claimed in claim 13 wherein the ring member is supported by the chair arm.
 15. A chair as claimed in claim 14 wherein the chair arm further having: a bridging portion disposed intermediate the arm rest portion and the cup support portion and joining a forward end of the arm rest portion with a rear end of the cup support portion, the bridging portion descending from the height of the arm rest portion to the height of the cup support portion, the ring member supported by the bridging portion in a position forward of the bridging portion.
 16. A chair as claimed in claim 14 wherein the ring member is laterally of the lateral side surface of the seat so as to not overlie the chair seat.
 17. A chair as claimed in claim 14 wherein a gap is provided between the lateral side surface of the seat and the cup support portion extending vertically from above the upper surface of the seat to below the cup support portion.
 18. A chair as claimed in claim 14 wherein the ring member is rearward from a forwardmost surface of the seat.
 19. A chair as claimed in claim 16 wherein the ring member is rearward from a forwardmost surface of the seat.
 20. A chair structure having a pair of adjacent side-by-side chairs facing in the same direction, each chair having a seat, a chair arm in between the chairs laterally of the sat of each chair, each seat having an upper surface at a seat height, the upper surface extending laterally to a lateral side surface of the seat proximate the chair arm, the chair arm having: an arm rest portion disposed at a first height, a cup support portion disposed at a second height below the first height, a ring member having an opening therethrough, the ring member supported by the chair arm in a position forward of the arm rest portion and with the opening extending vertically through the ring member vertically above the cup support portion spaced a distance above the cup support portion, the ring member at a height above the seat heights, the cup support portion at a height above the seat heights, the ring member is laterally of the lateral side surface of each of the seat so as to not overlie either chair seat. 